Heading into the season, it was expected that Toronto's improved depth would be a big help.

A succession of injuries has played havoc with that theory, but it is clear that when the roster is close to full health, the reserves provide the Raptors with an advantage many nights.

In the four wins collected so far, the bench has averaged 37 points per game, about 10 points a night more than they have managed in Toronto's 13 defeats, and the reserves have outscored oppposing reserves in each of the victories.

Despite coming off of the bench, Amir Johnson and Ed Davis sit third and fourth on the team in rebounds per game. Davis led the Raptors last season.

Jose Calderon leads the team in assists and is fourth in scoring even though he has been a reserve nearly half of the time.

Johnson started 43 times last season but has adjusted well to life with the second unit.

He has a superb chemistry with Calderon and the pair has been giving opponents fits all year.

The Johnson-Davis pairing also has been effective.

"Me and Ed like to play the ball out of bounds (putting pressure on opponents) Just to slow the offence a little bit. Just do stuff like that to change the momentum," Johnson said.

"Our job coming off the bench, we definitely know our role, which is to come in and bring energy. When we (get) minutes, that's supposed to be our job. We're supposed to pick it up for the team."

Davis' production has been way up, especially of late and has been forcing head coach Dwane Casey to find more time for him -- often at the expense of Andrea Bargnani -- because of the impact he has been making.

He tops the team in many advanced statistical categories.

Johnson has noticed improvements with Davis' game, particularly on offence.

"He's got a lot better, he's not rushing (when he gets the ball down low), which is good," Johnson said.

"He's been successful in the blocks."

And pretty successful on the other end of the floor as well, like the rest of the reserves.

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Raptors' reserves are a plus

Heading into the season, it was expected that Toronto's improved depth would be a big help.

A succession of injuries has played havoc with that theory, but it is clear that when the roster is close to full health, the reserves provide the Raptors with an advantage many nights.

In the four wins collected so far, the bench has averaged 37 points per game, about 10 points a night more than they have managed in Toronto's 13 defeats, and the reserves have outscored oppposing reserves in each of the victories.